Fabulous Wedding for Eleanor and Justin at The Oaks at Salem!

This pretty photo and the one below it were taken about 4:00 on Saturday April 25, 2014 at The Oaks at Salem in Apex. The weatherman had been predicting terrible rain and thunderstorms all day and it had rained on and off yet the sun was shining. Should we take a chance?

Joslin at The Oaks had put out all the chairs for the ceremony in front of the big tree about 2:30 but the clouds were building and the weather report predicted a thunder boomer would hit Apex at about 5:00--ceremony start time. Wisely at about 3:30, the call was made to relocate the wedding under the tent on the terrace--a beautiful Plan B for this venue. There was no time to retrieve the chairs. 

Brian Darocha, our DJ with Unlimited DJ Service, was all set up when Marty and I arrived. My microphone plugged into his body pack and we did a sound check and all was well. I was so happy to work with Brian again and I knew he would monitor the sound and raise or lower the volume as needed due to rain and thunder.

Bride are always disappointed when the weather does not cooperate but Eleanor was being a great sport about it. Might as well!

Sweet Memories Bakery made this gorgeous cake. The irises are all sugar and the colors are delicious! Crave was the caterer and the buffet was all set up in the downstairs area for the reception.

 It is raining now. Can you tell? Such a beautiful venue with the stately manor house, lake and terrace. 

You can see that the sky is darkening and the lights are on inside the tent. Exactly at 5:00 there was a huge downpour of rain. We decided to wait about 10 minutes for a lull.

And it is time to begin......I walked out first and Justin and his two sons, Jared and Jordan, escorted the mothers in and then they joined me up front.

 Justin brings in his mother, Cindy, followed by his dad, Terry. 

 Eleanor's dad has passed on so her mother, Marjorie, escorted her in. The English Garden did the flowers. 

Our two bridesmaids followed. Jacie, Justin's daughter, was first in and then Melissa, Maid of Honor and friend of the bride, who is expecting twins in just a few months--or sooner!

 Welcome, prayer, remembering loved ones who are no longer with us, honoring of the parents, and blessing of Justin's children. 

 Then their story began......

Eleanor and Justin started working at a local hospital in 2006 at about the same time. Their departments worked in close tandem with each other but it would be years before they knew each other's names and became acquainted--not that they had not noticed each other from a distance though!

 Justin flirted with Eleanor and kept asking her if she was on Facebook.....

Eleanor did not even text! However as her interest in Justin grew, she had a friend help her get on Facebook and out of the blue, Justin got a Friend request from her. And that opened up the lines of communication outside of work.

In 2010 when Eleanor needed a good friend to talk to, she called Justin and they went to a park to talk--for hours--and shared a kiss under the stars, each claiming that the other instigated it! And ever since, they have been inseparable.

On May 20, 2013 their lives changed forever when Justin planned an elaborate and intricate proposal on a boat. Justin pulled out the ring box and opened it. Eleanor, in shock, tearing up and at a loss for words, realized that they were holding a diamond ring on the bow of a boat over the water and quickly took the ring and put it on her finger. Justin asked "Does that mean yes?" Eleanor responded "You haven't asked me yet!"  Of course he asked quickly and she could not say yes fast enough. The wedding planning began!

They had written secret vows to each other that were printed facing them in my book. Justin had a bit of trouble getting through his. Eleanor had practically memorized hers but I heard a some tears in her voice too!

 Then they exchanged rings and received a blessing. 

 The big moment......

Justin and Eleanor, despite the weather, your wedding was wonderful and I know your marriage will be filled with love, happiness and satisfaction! I wish you only the best of everything!

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Wonderful Wedding for Kristy and Vaughn at All Saints Chapel!

I knew when I met with Kristy and Vaughn on February 4th to plan their wedding on October 12, 2012 at All Saints Chapel that they would be a fun couple to work with! They are so vibrant, so enthusiastic and have lively personalities that mesh really well together. I loved working with them to create their terrific ceremony that was so much fun for all of the wedding party and guests at the wedding. We had a lot of good laughs!

When Marty and I arrived, just about everything was ready. The English Garden had the aisle floral arrangements in place and the altar beautifully decorated. Kristy's bouquet was added to the altar table because she did not want to carry it down the aisle since she was being escorted in by both her father and stepfather, making it awkward to carry a bouquet. She did want to recess with it though. They were doing a sand ceremony too. Diane, with the chapel, lit all the candles before the guests were seated by the ushers. Cannon Catering was getting set up in the back of the chapel and in the little room off the altar, they were making the salad plates. Smelled really good in there when the guys and I crowded in right before we took our places! The reception was in the chapel after the chairs had been moved and tables set up. The guests were sent downstairs to the lower level for cocktails right after the ceremony. Brian Darocha with Unlimited DJ Service was all set up in the loft. I always enjoy working with Brian! Our photographer was AJ Dunlap and she was assisted by her husband Kyle who carried all the equipment.  The couple hired Katee, a new wedding planner getting started. She did a very good job but does not have a website for me to link to yet but I do have her email. Thanks, Katee!

Then it was time to get started. First in from the front were the groomsmen and I, then Vaughn honored his mother by escorting her in then joining us on the altar. The lovely bridesmaids followed.

Waiting for the bride! Their little "sign-bearer," Eli, was standing up front holding a sign that said "Here Comes the Bride" but you cannot see the sign in this photo. 

 Vaughn stepped down and retrieved Kristy from her two fathers and we began!

 What a gorgeous train! Just beautiful! 

We had two readers, Angie and Stephanie. 

Several of their friends believed that Kristy and Vaughn would make a great couple and urged them to get together. They did "friend" each other on Facebook, but the timing apparently was not right for them to meet in person until March Madness in 2011. Kristy was watching Carolina play basketball at Rudino's one night and casually told Vaughn her plans, not seriously thinking he would really show up, especially since she was with seven of her girlfriends. But he did! As a result they set up a first date for a few days later. After that date, Kristy told her mother that she wanted to marry this guy and six months later started thinking "wedding" before she even got a ring! And that, she says, is how she planned this wedding so quickly!

They had each told me in private why they wanted to marry the other and heard those reasons for the first time on their wedding day. They have a great sense of humor and it was definitely reflected in the ceremony!  

 They poured their sand together.....

 I know it is a blurry picture but it is the only one I have of the pronouncement! 

 Yay! The kiss!

The "after" shot of the Unity Sand Ceremony. The first layer was poured by me to symbolize the spiritual foundation of their marriage. Then they layered their sand on top.

Kristy and Vaughn, I simply adored working with you two! You make a wonderful couple and I know you are going to have a great marriage! I wish you the best of everything!